Places To Visit In New Zealand

Inspiring you to live a healthier lifestyle

Places To Visit In New Zealand

For would-be holidaymakers and expats, New Zealand is among the most tantalising of all the world’s destinations. It’s packed to bursting with fantastic landscapes, flora and fauna, and it enjoys favourable weather conditions for much of the year. The culture is broadly similar to that which you’d find in the UK, and there’s no language barrier to surmount. If you’re looking at moving to New Zealand permanently, then you’ll naturally need to navigate the country’s points-based migration system, which demands that applicants collate a sufficient tally of points before being granted a visa. If you’ve got the right skills to contribute to the country, fortunately, Australian and New Zealand skilled visas are easier to come by than many might suspect.

Once you’ve arrived in the country, whether it’s for a short stay or a permanent settlement, you’ll want to check out some of the most gorgeous and interesting locations it has to offer. Fortunately, there are myriad such places to visit. Let’s look at some of them.

Queenstown

Foremost on most visitors list of must-see places is Queenstown. This part of the country is popular for a reason – it boasts such an amazing wealth of activities. You’ll be able to go bungee jumping; you’ll be able to jump out of a plane; you’ll even be able to go for a nice leisurely walk around the surrounding hillside. What more could a person ask for?

Lake Taupo

This gorgeous, crystal-clear lake is the largest in the entire country. It’s to be found near to the Tongariro National Park, which is a world heritage site. If you’re looking to take a walk around New Zealand, then this is among the best places to stop – the surrounding area is thick with volcanic peaks, and its importance was paramount to the ancient Maori people. Take a look at the stunning scenery all around, and you’ll realise why!

Fiorland National Park

You’ll find this sprawling park on the South Island. It’s been sculpted over aeons by the passage of enormous glaciers, and boasts sprawling fjords and craggy peaks. If you’re looking to go on a hiking trip, then this part of the world offers some of the most glorious routes imaginable. Alternatively, you might explore the fjords via kayak.

Bay of Islands

You’ll find this sensibly-named locale on the North Island. It’s among the country’s most popular attractions, drawing tourists from across the world. Most of the people making their way here do so because of the abundance of diverse animal life found in the region. You’ll find whales and porpoises, along with marlins and penguins. If you’re into watersports, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to indulge, here – take a trip out on a sailing boat and you’ll get a whole new perspective on this stunning batch of scenery.

Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers

This pair of glaciers can be found on the South Island. They’re part of the Westland Tai Poutini National Park, and grow from the nearby Southern Alps right down to sea level. As such, they’re easily reached on foot. Take a guide with you and you’ll be able to enjoy the frozen landscape safely. If you’d prefer (and your wallet is suitably sizeable), you’ll be able to take in the sites via helicopter.

Kaikoura

This coastal village lies between the Seaward Kaikoura mountain range and the ocean, and it offers a perfect location for whale-watching. If you’re especially lucky, you might see a humpback leaping above the surface, as well as furry seals and dolphins. There’s also a wealth of bird life in the area, including albatrosses.

Hobbiton

New Zealand, famously, is the place where Peter Jackson’s two film trilogies set in Middle Earth were filmed. If you’re a fan of all things Tolkien, then you’ll need to fit a trip to this part of the country into your schedule. The famous Hobbit holes are all as intact and explorable as they were on the silver screen, and you’ll be able to enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. You’ll find this location just east of Cambridge, on the North Island.

Cathedral Cove

This beach is fantastically secluded, and can be reached only after a half-hour walk along the coast. Along the way you’ll encounter jagged cliff faces and untamed verdure – and you’ll eventually emerge onto a fantastic expanse of sand. If you’re looking to go on a seaside excursion in this part of the world, then you’ll find that this is the place to do it.